Blue Collar StartUp

Michael Nelson
  • 5.0 (3)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Our Mission is Simple: To facilitate the growth and development of Blue Collar businesses. We will showcase REAL Blue Collar businesses in interviews, and use these stories to help educate and empower the next generation of trades workers to become Blue Collar business owners.

  1. 1D AGO

    Scaling Your Business at the Speed of Cashflow | Blue Collar StartUp #117

    In episode 117 of Blue Collar StartUp, Mike Nelson and Derek Foster break down the pros and cons of scaling your business using cashflow versus debt, including trade lines, loans, and credit cards. They also discuss how to think through major purchases like equipment, overhead, and hiring so you don’t overextend yourself chasing growth. Subscribe to our Patreon for exclusive Blue Collar bonus content! https://patreon.com/BlueCollarStartUp?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=copyLink 0:00 Introduction 0:15 Welcome to Blue Collar StartUp 0:40 Mike talks about adversity-filled business owner mornings 1:36 Taking Accountability - “Every issue was created by me” 2:39 Mike talks about selling pork from his farm 3:42 New episode formats and upcoming show plans 5:04 What we do on Patreon 6:35 Scaling at the speed of cashflow 7:05 Derek explains building business credit early 8:29 Don’t buy equipment without a plan 9:44 Mike shares experience with trade line debt 11:53 Renting vs owning equipment discussion 14:10 A major company that rented everything for years 17:10 Using debt to float payroll while waiting for payment 18:58 Keeping overhead low: garage vs big lease mistakes 20:26 “Be cheap as possible for as long as possible” 25:16 Use debt only if the asset produces returns 27:34 “Don’t get excited by the shiny object” 28:35 Wrap-up and transition to Patreon

    31 min

  2. 6D AGO

    The Biggest Mistakes Contractors Make with Greg Spaun | Blue Collar StartUp #116

    In episode 116 of Blue Collar StartUp, Mike and Derek sit down with construction attorney Greg Spaun to break down the legal risks contractors face and why contract details matter just as much as quality work. From “pay if paid” clauses to change orders and paperwork requirements, Greg explains how business owners can protect themselves before problems turn into expensive lawsuits.  You can find Greg Spaun at wbgllp.com or email him directly at gspaun@wbgllp.com. Check out our Blue Collar StartUp Patreon for exclusive bonus content! https://patreon.com/BlueCollarStartUp?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=copyLink 0:00 Intro and hosts jump in 0:15 Welcome to Blue Collar Start Up 1:05 Business ownership while sick and falling behind 1:49 “Ask the Expert” segment returns 2:06 New show formats: roundtables, Women in Trades, interviews 3:06 Patreon plug and exclusive content breakdown 4:11 Sponsors supporting trade school students 5:16 Guest intro: Greg Spaun joins the show 6:37 Greg explains his construction-law-only firm 8:38 Why delayed/non-payment is so common in construction 11:30 Who Greg represents (subs, GCs, owners, insurers) 16:22 Trust is declining, contracts are protection 17:45 Modified contracts and “turnkey provision” horror story 20:29 Litigation vs prevention: why contractors wait too long 24:15 Negotiating contracts without losing the job 26:23 “Pay if paid” vs “pay when paid” explained 30:17 Keeping up with new laws and joining trade associations 33:37 Biggest lesson: good work isn’t enough without paperwork 37:02 How to contact Greg and closing wrap-up

    39 min

  3. FEB 11

    Why Every Leader Needs a Coach: Catamount Roundtable | Blue Collar StartUp #115

    In this episode of Blue Collar StartUp, host Derek Foster sits down with Scott McKenna, Stacy Spector, and Jason Spector of Catamount Consulting for a roundtable discussion on leadership development, mindset mastery, and the personal growth tools that help blue collar teams perform at a higher level. They break down the “Three Truths,” explain why psychological safety and vulnerability matter, and share actionable strategies like journaling, micro-habits, and building discipline over motivation. To learn more about the guests and their work, visit catamountconsultingllc.com and connect with their team. Check out our Blue Collar StartUp Patreon for exclusive bonus content! https://patreon.com/BlueCollarStartUp?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=copyLink 0:00 Derek opens the show solo and introduces the Catamount roundtable 1:00 Recording at Milton CAT + facility shoutout 3:15 Catamount Consulting origin story 4:30 Safety as a byproduct of strong leadership 5:10 Professional vs personal development 6:00 Stacey’s career shift from attorney to leadership training 6:50 Jason’s background in education, behavior psychology, mindset mastery 8:10 How do you get non-competitive people to buy into development? 8:55 Why coaching isn’t optional 10:20 The “Three Truths” explained 11:05 Truth #1: everyone is flawed 12:05 The 3 most common organizational struggles 13:10 Why brain science helps people stop being defensive 15:05 How long does it take to shift mindset? 18:05 Infinite game mindset and levels of buy-in 21:10 What if you want to grow but don’t have a leader/mentor? 23:15 Brené Brown, Carol Dweck, Ryan Holiday, Amy Edmondson 25:10 The 4 most deadly words: I’ll do it myself 27:10 Feed your mind like your body 30:00 The “two easies” habit strategy: easy to do / easy not to do 32:30 How much time per day should personal development take? 36:45 Pillow test and well/better/how framework through journaling 40:50 Manifestation explained 42:20 Can discipline be developed?

    56 min

  4. FEB 4

    Project Management in the Trades with Caitlin Beaudry | Blue Collar StartUp #114

    In this episode of Blue Collar StartUp, hosts Mike and Derek sit down with Caitlin Beaudry, Project Manager at Bonacquisti Brothers Construction, to break down what project management really looks like inside a commercial construction company. Caitlin shares her path from working in the field to managing up to 15 projects at once, along with lessons on leadership, loyalty, and why asking questions is a superpower in the trades. You can find Caitlin Beaudry and Bonacquisti Brothers Construction online through their company website bonbrosconst.com, and on Facebook and LinkedIn. Check out our Blue Collar StartUp Patreon for exclusive bonus content! https://patreon.com/BlueCollarStartUp?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=copyLink 0:00 Welcome to Blue Collar StartUp 0:28 Mike and Derek kick off the show 2:14 New episode formats and 2026 updates 3:23 Women in the trades and upcoming roundtables 5:10 Sponsors, Patreon, and supporting the trades 6:48 Introducing today’s guest, Caitlin Beaudry 7:23 Caitlin explains her role as a project manager 8:08 What a PM actually does day-to-day 9:10 Business development vs project execution 10:21 How Caitlin got into construction 12:29 First projects and early nerves on job sites 15:15 Learning to ask questions without fear 18:19 Mistakes, budgets, and reading the fine print 20:11 Office careers vs field work in construction 21:50 Managing 8–15 projects at the same time 24:32 Staying organized without going fully digital 26:15 Loyalty, trust, and why she’s stayed 7 years 33:32 Looking ahead and career growth in construction

    37 min

  5. JAN 28

    How to Actually Sell a Blue-Collar Company with Shenar Wood | Blue Collar StartUp #113

    In episode 113 of Blue Collar StartUp, host Mike and Derek chat with Shenar Wood, who shares his remarkable journey from Apache helicopter pilot to founding Dynetek Solutions, a niche underground utility conversion company that he successfully sold to private equity. In this raw conversation he reveals the financial discipline, leadership mindset shifts, and strategic decisions that allowed him to scale fast, break through bonding & debt ceilings, and exit profitably. Check out our Blue Collar StartUp Patreon for exclusive bonus content! https://patreon.com/BlueCollarStartUp?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=copyLink You can find Shenar Wood on LinkedIn or his company Dynetek Solutions at dyneteksolutions.com. 0:00 Intro & welcome back after the break 0:34 New 2026 episode formats & Women in Trades segment 3:00 Guest introduction: Shenar Wood, Dynetek Solutions 3:57 From broke college kid → military → buying first directional drill 6:07 Burned bridges & bought the drill: quickest path to cash 7:51 The mindset shift: build to sell, not to own forever 8:39 Why utility/power work is somewhat recession-proof 9:46 Leveraging old trade & military contacts for early subcontracts 11:21 First years reality: drilling all day, books all night 12:30 When & why he finally brought his wife in for HR 13:56 The $200k mistake: waiting too long for proper books & fractional CFO 15:22 Bonding & surety as the biggest glass ceiling in trades 19:52 The Friday leak check system that stopped revenue bleed 25:18 How the weekly revenue delta meeting works & why it matters 29:53 Discovering $75k in unbilled work the hard way 31:28 Beginning with the end in mind: planning the exit from day one 32:59 Why EBITDA growth flattens after ~year 5–6 in many trade businesses 34:49 Main episode wrap & sponsor thanks

    36 min

  6. JAN 21

    Designing Org Charts That Actually Work with Bill Tansey Jr | Blue Collar StartUp #112

    In this episode of Blue Collar StartUp, Mike and Derek sit down with Bill Tansey to break down why org charts are one of the most misunderstood—and most powerful—tools in a growing trades business. They dive into standard roles, functional accountability, and how to design an organization that supports real strategy instead of being built around the people you already have. Check out our Blue Collar StartUp Patreon for exclusive bonus content! https://patreon.com/BlueCollarStartUp?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=copyLink Bill can be found on LinkedIn as William (Bill) Tansey Jr., or through his website at theopexshop.com. 0:00 Welcome to Blue Collar StartUp & show intro 0:45 Kicking off the new year & new sponsor announcement 2:00 Daily task lists, focus, and doing less to accomplish more 3:15 New episode formats & “Let’s Ask Bill” introduction 5:00 Supporting the trades through sponsorships 6:20 Introducing Bill Tansey 7:30 What an org chart actually is (and isn’t) 9:00 Org charts as a communication tool, not a hierarchy 10:00 Current-state vs future-state org charts 12:00 Planning only one year ahead—and why it matters 13:15 The importance of standard roles for scaling 15:00 Why org charts shouldn’t constantly change 17:10 Adding overhead roles and financial justification 19:00 Full-time equivalency and wearing multiple hats 21:10 The danger of building roles around people 23:40 Functional accountability explained 27:00 Common org chart mistakes business owners make 34:20 Strategy, tactics, execution & wrapping the episode

    37 min

  7. JAN 14

    Don’t Get Stuck Self-Employed: Cashflow Quadrant Part 2 | Blue Collar StartUp 111

    In this episode of Blue Collar StartUp, Mike and Derek break down Part Two of the Cashflow Quadrant, focusing on the difficult transition from being self-employed to becoming a true business owner. They unpack leadership, systems, vision, cashflow realities, and the mindset shifts required to stop owning a job and start building a business. Check out the Blue Collar StartUp Patreon for exclusive bonus content! https://patreon.com/BlueCollarStartUp?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=copyLink 0:00 Welcome to Blue Collar StartUp 0:29 Introductions and kicking off the new year 1:29 New episode formats and what’s coming in 2026 2:32 Patreon overview and why the bonus content matters 3:47 Sponsorships and supporting the next generation of trades 5:00 Episode topic: Cashflow Quadrant, Part Two 6:10 Defining self-employed vs. business owner 7:57 What a “real business” actually looks like 9:38 Can a business truly run without its owner? 12:20 Growth creates new problems at every level 15:36 Hiring, delegation, and leveraging strengths 18:05 The risks and realities of business ownership 21:13 Letting go and trusting your team 23:12 Vision, mission, and values as leadership tools 27:01 Why most self-employed owners never scale 31:17 Culture, buy-in, and decision-making frameworks 37:39 Cashflow myths, payroll pressure, and sacrifice 44:24 Patreon topics, wrap-up, and where to find the show

    46 min

  8. JAN 7

    Turning Tragedy into Triumph with Mason Hamilton | Blue Collar StartUp #110

    In this episode of Blue Collar StartUp, Mike and Derek chat with Mason Hamilton as shares his incredible journey from excavator operator to president of Donnelly Construction, a leading traffic control company in New York State, revealing how hard work and resilience turned personal tragedy into triumph. Despite a paralyzing snowmobile accident, he continued leading and growing the business through sheer determination and problem-solving. Learn more about Donnelly Construction at donnellyconstruction.net. Check out our Blue Collar StartUp Patreon for exclusive bonus content! https://patreon.com/BlueCollarStartUp?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=copyLink 0:00 Intro and Welcome 0:15 Hosts Banter and New Year Shoutout 1:13 Sponsor Shoutouts Begin 2:26 Patreon Mention 3:20 Introducing Guest Mason Hamilton 3:40 What is Donnelly Construction? 4:31 Explaining Traffic Control Services 5:30 Geographic Coverage and Visibility 6:34 Mason's Start in the Company 7:51 Path to Becoming an Operator 9:39 Timeline to President (21-22 Years) 11:30 Brief College Story 14:11 Day-to-Day as President 16:16 The Snowmobile Accident and Transition 20:52 Management Style 24:26 Overcoming Adversity Mindset 29:49 Plans for 2026 and Growth 33:28 Where to Find Donnelly Construction 34:12 Wrap-Up and Patreon Teaser

    35 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Our Mission is Simple: To facilitate the growth and development of Blue Collar businesses. We will showcase REAL Blue Collar businesses in interviews, and use these stories to help educate and empower the next generation of trades workers to become Blue Collar business owners.

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Nelson
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    114
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Michael Nelson
  • Show Website
    Blue Collar StartUp